Thais have lower access to high-speed Internet than others in ASEAN

BANGKOK, May 15 (TNA) - A Thai academic at the Thailand Development Research Institute or TDRI says that Thai people have a low access to high-speed Internet, compared with those in other member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN, proposing that regulations on 3G licensing be reviewed to increase the Thai people’s access to the so-called Broadband Internet. TDRI Vice President Somkiart Tangkitvanich acknowledged at a seminar in Bangkok Tuesday that Thai people in general have not had access to high-speed (Broadband) Internet as the advance online service fees remain high and Thailand has not had enough experienced personnel in the field, pointing out that there is no Broadband Internet connection in over 24,000 square kilometers in the country. Somkiart urged the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to, therefore, lay down clear regulations demanding interconnection of telecommunications networks as a condition for a license of a 3G or LTE network in the country which can be then upgraded to 4G services. The senior academic also proposed that the Thai government support Bangkok-based TOT Public Company Limited (TOT) and CAT Telecom in supplying networks for Thailand's telecommunications service providers so that the two state-backed enterprises will generate more revenues. The TDRI organized the seminar Tuesday morning to gather opinions on appropriate telecommunications policies to enhance Thailand's competiveness. The seminar also acknowledged an updated report that only about 5.46 per cent of Thai people have had access to high-speed Internet; while up to about 90 per cent of people in other ASEAN countries have the access. The Thai Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) plans to raise the proportion of Thai people with access to telecommunications networks and high-speed Internet to 80 per cent by 2015 and 95 per cent by 2020. Thailand's ICT regulations, in the meantime, need to be reviewed to achieve the targets. (TNA)